Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Opening Toward a Europe Whole and Free

Atlantic Council Chairman Jon Huntsman kicked off the conference Toward a Europe Whole and Free to a packed house at Atlantic Council headquarters. Immediately following his welcome, Tomáš Valášek, Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to NATO, and Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson made a joint presentation outlining the challenge of a Europe whole […]

Spotlight Urbanization

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

How can Latin American cities achieve inclusive development? In April, a record 22,000 people attended the seventh World Urban Forum, convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in Medellín, Colombia. This nearly doubled attendance from four years ago. Growing interest in urban development highlights how cities are increasingly transcending boundaries to shape national […]

The Untapped Potential of Georgians Abroad

By Darejani Markozashvili and Laura Linderman

Migration has dramatically reshaped Georgia. More than one million people have left the country due to the civil wars, unrest, unemployment, and overall chaos in the country following the breakup of the Soviet Union. This has resulted in a demographic crunch, an aging population, and low birth rates. But Georgians abroad are also the bedrock […]

Applying American Power in the 21st Century

As recent events have shown, the United States must find a more effective way to operate in the 21st century. War roils in the Middle East; trade talks are faltering or reaching intractable sticking points; and fiscal uncertainty erodes America’s economic and military power. The issues of today, as well as developments that are meeting […]

India and Pakistan: The Opportunity Cost of Conflict

Heavy defense spending and economic non-cooperation between India and Pakistan are detrimental to the welfare of the citizens of the two neighboring countries, argues a report released by the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center on Thursday.

Countering Russian Propaganda: A Strategy Session with Danylo Lubkivsky

On Thursday, April 24 the Council was pleased to host an off-the-record working lunch conversation with Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine.

A New Belarus

A Discussion with Belarussian Think Tank Leaders The crisis in Europe’s East has focused attention specifically on Ukraine and Crimea; however, it is important to address the threat that the events in Ukraine pose to the future of other Central and Eastern European countries. In order to provide an outlook on how Russia’s actions in […]

Russian Ex-Prime Minister: Widen Sanctions on Putin’s Elite Allies

Kasyanov Urges West to Urgently Sanction Hundreds of Russian Legislators, Ministers The United States and European governments should expand their prohibitions on travel and financial transactions by domestic political allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, his former prime minister, Mikhail Kasyanov said today. The West should sanction all members of the Russian parliament who voted […]

Working Group on a New US Defense Strategy and Posture in the Gulf

For more than four decades, the United States has had a robust web of partnerships with the states comprising the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This system has helped to achieve common strategic goals, including securing the free and constant flow of oil from the region to the world at large; preventing the rise of a […]

Send-Off Reception for Ambassador Whitaker

The new US Ambassador to Colombia, Kevin Whitaker, is taking over one of the most strategic diplomatic positions in the Western Hemisphere. A key political and economic ally to the United States, Colombia is also an important free-trade partner. Strong democratic institutions and a thriving economy point to a prosperous future, one where Colombia increasingly […]